Bidura Children’s Court opened in April 1983, replacing the Metropolitan Children’s Court at Albion Street. It was situated behind the historic house Bidura, which had been a shelter and receiving home until 1977. The court complex at Bidura included the Bidura Remand and Assessment Centre but this was found unsuitable as it provided little barrier to the many escapees, and it later only held in custody those appearing in court that day. Bidura Children’s Court closed in 2017 and was replaced by Surry Hills Children’s Court.
Bidura Children’s Court held records for the Metropolitan Children’s Court. These are now held by the Surry Hills Children’s Court.
People wishing to gain access to information from Bidura Children’s Court must write to the Clerk of Surry Hills Children’s Court:
In many instances, especially in the case of smaller Courts, the depositions of proceedings in Children’s Courts are interfiled with the adult depositions. There were, however, several designated Children’s Courts in NSW: Bidura Children’s Court at Glebe (in Sydney’s inner west); Cobham Children’s Court at Werrington (in Sydney’s far west); Worimi Children’s Court at Broadmeadow (Newcastle); Minda Children’s Court at Lidcombe (in Sydney’s west); Campsie Children’s Court at Campsie (in Sydney’s south west); and Yasmar Children’s Court at Haberfield (in Sydney’s inner west).
Court records may also be held by the State Records Authority of New South Wales. In 2014 there were no records listed in the Concise Guide to the State Archives relating to this organisation. Since the Guide was last updated it is possible that additional records have been deposited with the State Records Authority of New South Wales. In addition, records are still held by the Courts themselves. As all requests for information must be directed through the Clerk of the relevant Court, current information about holdings will be available from the Court.
